Forced feed draft equalizer



Jan. 4, 1938. w. BARENDS 2,104,504

FORCED FEED DRAFT EQUALIZER Filed May 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet} InveniorAttorneys Jan. 4, 1938. w. BARENDS 2,104,504

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Aftorneys Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel accessory, in the nature of anattachment for the discharge nozzle of an electric motor powered blowersuch as is used as a force-feed draft circulator for coal-fired steamboilers and the like.

Persons familiar with installations of this type are cognizant of thefact that, under ordinary circumstances, the discharge nozzle of theblower casing is operatively connected with the back Wall of the skirtportion of the ash pit. That is to say, it is substantially directlybeneath the chimney connection, which is also at the back of thestructure, and approximately opposite the door-equipped front wall ofthe ash pit. Under the circumstances the distribution of incoming air ispoorly controlled. Theoretically, the air stream is virtually shot in adirect path against the frontal portion of the ash pit. Therefore, thedistribution and upward passage of the air lacks requisite uniformity.Consequently, the carbon monoxide gases givenoff by the burning fuelabove the grate tend to hamper proper combustion. It has beendiscovered, therefore, that by injecting an extra supply of atmosphericair or oxygen above the fire bed, the combustion is more satisfactoryand uniform. It is believed, however, that this supplementary supply ofair above the fuel bed is not absolutely necessary "if the injected airfrom the floor is properly distributed in the ash pit and allowed topermeate the burningcoal properly from beneath.

With these points and objections in mind, I have evolved and produced anair spreader and delivery attachment for the discharge nozzle of 35 theblower which is located within the limits of the ash pit and properlyconstructed to divert and deflect the air currents through theinstrumentality of suitable baffles to bring about the requisitecontinuous circulation and uniform dis- 40 tribution of air believedsufficient to produce proper combustion in the fire box and to therebyconserve fuel and more effectively control the flame and avoid needlessexplosions, back-drafts, and possible resulting fires from overheated 45chimney pipe connections.

In carrying out the principles of the invention I have found itexpedient and practicable to utilize a substantially V-shaped bafileunit made up of diverging bafile plates adjustably joined 50 togetherand cooperable with suitable coupling means applicable to theconventional motor driven blower.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription and the 55 accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

' Figure 1 is a view showing the conventional blower in elevationlocated exteriorly of the ash 5 pit and further showing portions of theboiler in section, as well as the air supply equalizer attachmentcooperable with the blower and ash p Figure 2 is a horizontal sectionalView showing '10 a top plan version of the equalizer per se, withsufficient of the other structure shown to disclose the relativearrangement of parts;

Figure 3 is a slightly enlarged end elevation of the attachment removedfrom the ash pit; 15

Figure 4 is a central longitudinal or horizontal sectional view takenapproximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section which may be described as a cross-section on theline 5--5 of Figure 1; 20

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view.

Considering now the drawings in detail, and referring to the parts bydistinguishing reference numerals, attention is conveniently called toFigure 1, wherein the conventional steam boiler 25 is denoted by thenumeral 1. On the interior thereof is the conventional grate, the gratebeing indicated by the numeral 8 and defining the aforementioned ash pitIll. The front door of the ash pit is conveniently denoted by thenumeral H. The conventional blower is indicated at [2 and embodies theusual discharge nozzle 13. It is with this nozzle and the back wall 9 ofthe ash pit or base that the improved attachment is directly associated.The expression attachment is used advisedly, for it is evident that itis possible to manufacture this invention as a permanent adjustable partof the discharge nozzle structure in an air supply blower.

The so-called attachment comprises a coupling collar or sleeve 14 whichmay be telescopically connected with the nozzle and fastened thereto bya simple removable pin IS. The inner flanged end l6 of the collar restsin contact with the inner surface of the back wall of the ash pit. Thisprovides the requisite adapter fitting for the duplex or two-way airstream equalizer. This equalizer unit is preferably constructed from asingle plate or sheet of metal which is bent between its ends to form anattaching and retention member H as shown in Figure 4. This is held inplace by the aforesaid nail or pin l5. Extending outwardly therefrom indiverging directions are the baffle elements or plates. The inner endportions [8 converge in close proximity toward the attaching pin. Theouter end portions, forming the air divider and shunting blades as atl9, project beyond the flange and spread apart in requisite divergingrelation. Interposed therebetween is an arcuate adjusting bolt 20 havingnut connections as at 2| with the outer ends of the battle bladeswhereby it is possible to adjust the blades toward and from each other.Incidentally, the metal possesses sufi-icient inherent resiliency tofacilitate this adjustment. Along the upper edges of the baffle platesI9 are outwardly bent, properly proportioned, reinforcing andair-distributing flanges 22. rower and smaller flanges 23 are on thebottom edges of the bafiie plates. These upper and lower flangestogether with the plate proper coordinate in giving the air the desiredtunneling and sweeping action. That is to say, the upper hooked flanges22 tend to direct the air currents in a more or less horizontal planeand the lower deflector flanges 23 tend to swirl the air currentslaterally from the imaginary longitudinal dimension of the structure asa whole. Consequently, these flanged deflector elements spread anddirect the air somewhat in the general path or line of the arrows shownin Figure 2. In practice the deflected air jets are swept out toward theopposite sides of the ash pit and impinge against the sides rather thandirectly against the doorequipped front as is ordinarily done with theregular installation. The result is a more uniform circulation anddistribution of air in the ash pit which, it is believed, accounts forfuel saving, more satisfactory and eflicient combustion in the flre box,and other results calculated to promote efliciency and to minimize flrehazards.

It is apparently unnecessary to attempt to theoretically trace the exactmotion of the air, for the invention has been built upon experimentallines and has proved to be satisfactory in insuring a more perfectcombustion in the fire box and consequently a conservation of coal orother fuel utilized in the boiler.

It is thought that the description taken in con nection with thedrawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had.Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within thefield of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Similar nar- I claim:

1. As a component unit in a structural assemblage of the classdescribed, a sheet of resilient metal bent upon itself between its endsto provide substantially duplicate converging bafile plates, bolt andnut means adjustably connecting the diverging end portions of saidbafile plates together, said diverging end portions of the plates beingprovided with upper and lower outwardly and laterally directed flangesfor air deflecting and control purposes.

2. An attachment of the class described comprising a flanged couplingsleeve for use in association with a blower nozzle, a connecting pinmounted in said sleeve, a substantially V-shaped bafile unit fashionedat one end for connection with said pin, said unit having its divergingend portions projecting beyond the flanged end of the sleeve, saiddiverging ends being provided with upper and lower laterally directedcompanion air deflector flanges, and means adjustably connecting thefree diverging ends of said diverging end portions.

3. In a draft equalizer of the class described, a sleeve adapted to befitted telescopically over the nozzle of an air blower, said sleevebeing provided at its boiler attaching end with an adapter and abutmentflange, and an air equalizing ,unit, said unit comprising asubstantially V-shaped member including complemental diverging bafiieelements, the inner converging ends of said ele ments being located insaid sleeve and attached to said connecting pin, the outer ends of saidelements projecting beyond the flanged end of the sleeve and being ofchanneled cross-sectional form, whereby to divide the incoming airstream as it passes on through and out of the flanged end of said sleeveand to shunt the air currents in diverging paths in the manner and forthe purposes described.

4. In a device of the class described, an adapter sleeve designed to befitted removably and telescopically on a delivery nozzle, and an airequalizing unit having one end fitted and fastened in the sleeve and theopposite end projecting beyond the sleeve, the projecting end portionembodying outwardly diverging bafile elements and the upper and lowerlongitudinal edges of said elements being formed with laterallyprojecting deflector flanges.

WILLIAM BARENDS.

